Corny Quiz: What do you know about this American food staple?

Corn on the cob is a summer staple, and it seems as American as baseball and apple pie. But where did it really originate and how healthy are its byproducts? See how much you know about this sweet and crunchy treat in our corn on the cob quiz.

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Question 1 of 20

Where did corn originate?

Asia

India

The Americas

Although once believed to have originated in Asia, botanists has since determined that corn -- or maize -- is native to the Americas.

Canada

Question 2 of 20

True or false: To cut corn off the cob, you must first cook it.

true

false

Corn can be cut off the cob cooked or uncooked for use in recipes.

Question 3 of 20

True or false: The United States grows 40 percent of the world's corn crop.

true

The United States grows 40 percent of the world's corn, most of it in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota.

false

Question 4 of 20

True or false: Of all corn grown in America, most of it is consumed by humans.

true

false

In the United States, more corn is consumed by farm animals than humans.

Question 5 of 20

How many varieties of corn are in existence?

5

25

250

There are almost 250 different kinds of corn.

2,500

Question 6 of 20

True or false: Four of every 10 ears of corn are used to produce ethanol.

true

Thanks to government subsidies, four of every 10 ears of corn grown in America are used to produce the biofuel ethanol.

false

Question 7 of 20

How many cups of kernels does a typical ear of corn yield?

1/3 cup

1/2 cup

A medium-sized ear of corn yields about 1/2 cup of corn kernels.

1 cup

1 1/2 cups

Question 8 of 20

Which of the following dishes typically contain corn.

polenta

hush puppies

Johnny cakes

all of the above

Each of these dishes contains corn in some form.

Question 9 of 20

True or false: High-fructose corn syrup breaks down in the body just the same as sugar.

true

false

In 2010, Princeton University researchers found that high-fructose corn syrup caused lab animals to gain more weight than sugar.

Question 10 of 20

True or false: Although corn is not listed in its ingredients, Coca-Cola is reliant on the corn industry.

true

High-fructose corn syrup, a byproduct of corn, is found in most sodas, including Coca-Cola.

false

Question 11 of 20

Which of the following energy sources is made from corn?

petroleum

lithium

ethanol

Ethanol, an increasingly popular biofuel, is made from corn.

none of the above

Question 12 of 20

True or false: The bigger the corn kernel, the sweeter the corn.

true

false

Ears of corn with small, plump kernels are the most flavorful.

Question 13 of 20

True or false: When grilling corn on the cob, you should soak it in water first.

true

When grilling on an open flame, the corn husk will catch fire unless you soak it in water first.

false

Question 14 of 20

True or false: Corn subsidies for ethanol have caused the cost of livestock that feed on corn to rise.

true

Now that corn is in high demand, its price is on the rise. This price increase causes the cost of livestock that feed on it to rise, as well.

false

Question 15 of 20

In which season does corn peak?

spring

summer

Corn is harvested and enjoyed in summer.

winter

fall

Question 16 of 20

Which of the following adult beverages is made from corn?

rum

whiskey

Whiskey is made from fermenting corn mash.

vodka

gin

Question 17 of 20

Corn is used in which of the following products?

glue

batteries

pharmaceuticals

all of the above

Corn is used in lots of items you wouldn't expect it, even batteries, pharmaceuticals and glues.

Question 18 of 20

True or false: Sweet corn, which is consumed by humans, and field corn, which is eaten by livestock, look identical.

true

false

Sweet corn plants are actually about 2 feet shorter than field corn plants.

Question 19 of 20

True or false: Corn is often referred to as maize in other countries.

true

Corn is known as maize in countries like India.

false

Question 20 of 20

How do you know when field corn is ready to be harvested?

kernels are plump and juicy

kernels are dry and slightly dented in

Field corn dries out as it matures, causing a noticeable dent in the top of the kernels.